Coral the Octopus
Big Blue Readers
Coral can change her colours in a flash, but when she feels shy she fades into the rocks. Five gentle stories about asking for help, sharing and being brave enough to shine.
Every Story Is an Adventure
Meet brave, funny animal friends, share big feelings and fall asleep smiling, one short story at a time.
Start Reading
Read, Laugh & Grow!
Little stories with big hearts, made for ages 4–8.
ReadShort stories, one sitting
Read AloudMade for cosy bedtimes
FeelBig feelings, gently told
LaughGiggles & silly jokes
GrowCourage, kindness, change
DreamWarm, happy endingsWhat Does Your Child Need Tonight?
Tap a feeling and we'll pick the right story friend.
Story Friends
Pick a friend and start the adventure.
Rumble the Lion
Savanna Friends · Book 1
Rumble is the loudest, proudest lion on the Golden Savanna, and he always wants to win. Five stories about taking turns, playing fair and saying sorry.
Tembo the Elephant
Savanna Friends · Book 2
Wise old Tembo shows that nobody is too big or too old to help. Five warm stories about courage, kindness and sharing.
Say Hello to the Friends
Tap a friend and see what happens!
Who will you say hello to?
Which Story Friend Are You?
Four silly questions. There are no wrong answers!
Safe to play: no sign-up, no ads, and answers are not saved.
Colour a Friend
Pick a friend and a colour, then tap the picture to fill it in.
Safe to play: no sign-up, no ads, and pictures stay on your device.
Try Before You Buy
Open any book and read the first pages free, right here on the site.
Read a Free SampleInside Every Book
Short lessons for big discoveries.
- Five short stories
- Ten true animal facts
- Warm, never preachy, endings
- Big, colourful illustrations
- Perfect for read-aloud time
Meet Millie
I write for the child who feels everything a little bit loudly. Every story ends in warmth, so kids feel understood instead of taught at.
Questions? hello@milliemarbles.com
Why Families Love Them
Made for bedtime, classrooms and every cosy corner in between.
Bedtime-readyShort enough for one sitting, gentle enough to wind down.
Conversation startersEvery story opens a kind talk about big feelings.
Classroom friendlyIdeal for circle time, calm corners and early readers.
For Grown-Ups
What each book covers, what to expect, and a few questions to talk about after reading.
Coral the Octopus
Helps with
Shyness, asking for help, owning up, worrying about being perfect and keeping promises.
Good to know
There is a startling splash and a rush to keep a promise. The stories build on each other, so they are best read in order.
Talk about it
- Coral hides when she feels shy. What do you do when you feel shy?
- Why is it sometimes hard to ask for help?
- Coral's messy show was wonderful. What do you love doing, even when it isn't perfect?
Rumble the Lion
Helps with
Taking turns, playing fair, saying “I'm scared”, saying sorry and using a big voice kindly.
Good to know
One story has a loud thunderstorm, and in another a little zebra wanders off at dusk. Both end safely, with friends close by.
Talk about it
- Why did Zuri and Biko stop playing with Rumble?
- Who could you tell when you feel scared?
- How did Rumble make things right with Zuri?
Tembo the Elephant
Helps with
Knowing your own gifts, telling the truth, fixing mistakes, asking for help and sharing what you know.
Good to know
A young zebra gets lost in the tall grass, and the waterhole dries up in another story. The herd finds a way through both times.
Talk about it
- Tembo's trunk is his special gift. What is yours?
- Why did the soft rumble work better than the loud trumpet?
- What helped Tembo stop hiding and say sorry?
Safe for Little Hands
- No ads on this site
- No sign-up to read samples or play
- Quiz answers and colouring stay on your device
- Buy buttons open Payhip or Amazon, where a grown-up pays
How Buying Works
1. Tap BuyTap Buy PDF on the book you love.
2. Pay securelyYou pay on Payhip's checkout page. We never see your card details.
3. Read tonightDownload your PDF straight away. Payhip also emails you a download link.
What you getOne full-colour PDF of about 30 pages. It's a large file, so Wi-Fi is best.
How to read itUse any phone, tablet or computer, or print it at home for your family.
Prefer paper?Paperbacks are sold and delivered by Amazon, where available.
Something wrong?If there's a problem with your book, email hello@milliemarbles.com and we'll put it right.
Hear About New Books First
Join the Millie Marbles list for new stories and book news, and get three free colouring pages to print at home.
For grown-ups only. Book news and free activities, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy
Start your story adventure!
Pick a friend and open the first page tonight.
Choose a Book
Safe · Gentle · Made for little readers
